Business

Apple's flagship store in New York City always attracts a big crowd on launch days, but the line for the new iPhones this year hit a new record.

There were 1,417 people in line for the launch at the flagship store as of 8 a.m. ET Friday, according to Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray, who has surveyed Apple store lines every year since the original iPhone launched in 2007. That is the longest the line ever at the flagship store for an iPhone launch — beating the line for the iPhone 4 — and it marks an 83% increase from the number of people who waited in line there for the iPhone 5.

The huge spike in the line at the flagship store appeared to be an anomaly, however. At other Apple store locations, including one on the Upper West Side in Manhattan and another in Minneapolis, Munster found the lines were "tracking flat to up slightly" from the previous year.

Munster attributes the longer lines in part to Apple's decision not to offer the more expensive iPhone 5S for pre-order.

"The vast majority of iPhone buyers in line today appeared to be waiting for the 5S vs the 5C," he wrote in an investor note obtained by Mashable. Unfortunately for these buyers, the iPhone 5S appears to be severely supply constrained, with reports suggesting that stores are selling out of their inventory quickly. According to a report, Apple has asked suppliers to boost production of the gold iPhone 5S by one third.

Based on the size of these lines, Munster reasserts his estimate that Apple will sell 5 million to 6 million iPhones during the opening weekend, compared to 5 million the previous year. Other analysts have suggested Apple may sell anywhere from 6 million to 8 million phones.

Traditionally, Apple releases opening weekend sales numbers on the following Monday. Last year, Apple reported figures well below what some analysts — including Munster — had expected, which kickstarted a long decline in Apple's stock.

Did you try waiting in line for an iPhone this year? Share in the comments.

10 Terrific iPhone and iPad Musical Performances [VIDEOS]

1. Yoari & iBand

2. Stanford's Mobile Phone Orchestra

The Stanford "MoPhO" is an orchestra that uses phones to make music. Here, assistant professor (and creator of Smule's Ocarina iPhone app) Ge Wang offers insight into the "experimental ensemble."

3. The Mentalists

This quartet got YouTube famous after the video of them playing "Kids" by MGMT on iPhones and iPod touches went viral, racking up more than 1 million views.

4. The iPad Orchestra

The iPad Orchestra is just as its name sounds. It shows the potential for digital music using devices like the iPad.

5. Atomic Tom

This is another viral video hit of a band performing "Take Me Out" on a New York subway.

6. iBand

Marina, Seb and Roger make up the iBand. Here is the group performing an original composition, "Life is Greater than the Internet," on their various iDevices.

7. Applegirl

Another YouTube star, Applegirl002, a.k.a Kim Yeo-hee, covers pop songs on her iPhone setup. Her amateur videos proved such a hit she landed a record contract and has since released an official music video.

8. iPad Band

Musician Geoff Kaiser uses some clever editing and a split screen video to great effect with an ultra-modern take on the one-man band.

9. Lang Lang

Chinese pianist Lang Lang played "Flight of the Bumblebee" during an encore at a recent San Fran concert. It seems as if the crowd loved it.

10. Gary Go

Gary Go made headlines for playing giant London venue Wembley with his iPhone as his backing band. He has composed songs on the device and can be seen here performing live with his iPhone in hand.

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is a leading source for news, information and resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's record 42 million unique visitors worldwide and 21 million social media followers are one of the most influential and engaged online communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.